Council tax benefit

What is Council Tax Benefit?

Council Tax Benefit is a social security benefit to help people pay their Council Tax.

There are two kinds of Council Tax Benefit.

Council Tax Benefit - we work this out on your circumstances.
Second Adult Rebate - we work this out on the circumstances of other adults who live with you.

Anyone who has to pay Council Tax can claim Council Tax Benefit.

But you can only claim Second Adult Rebate if you are the only person who has to pay Council Tax for your home and you have other adults living with you.

You cannot get Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate at the same time. If you are entitled to both benefits, you will get the one which takes the most money off your Council Tax bill.

What information do we use to work out your benefit?

When we work out your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit we take account of the following details:

How much money you have coming in each week.
How much you have in savings and investments.
Who lives in your household.
The circumstances of any other adults who live with you.

Your applicable amount

This is the amount the Government says you need to live on each week. Your applicable amount is made up of three parts.

An amount for you and your partner, if you have one.
An amount for any dependent children in your family.
An amount called a ‘premium’ to help with special needs, for example, if you have children or if someone in your family is elderly or disabled.
These amounts are set by the Government and normally change every year.

Contact us on 0141 577 3002 or e-mail at benefits@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or visit us at either of the offices below to check your entitlement.

Council Buildings
211 Main Street
Barrhead
East Renfrewshire
G78 1SY

Council Headquarters
Eastwood Park
Rouken Glen Road
Giffnock
East Renfrewshire
G46 6UG

You can download a leaflet or an application form from the bottom of this page.